Is it possible to make perfume last just that little bit longer?

For the full effect, try layering your scent by having a bath or shower using soap, shower gel or even shampoo of your desired fragrance.

Perfume also lasts longer on your skin if it’s oily, so add a little Johnson’s Baby Oil, £1.19 (Boots) to the areas you’re going to spray, according to beauty expert Jenna Rose.

Spray fragrance on pulse points, such as the temples, base of the throat, the wrists and the bend of the elbow,
which are the areas that produce heat to release the scent of your perfume.

When you spray perfume on your wrist, never rub your wrists together because it compresses the scent, which then won’t develop naturally.

For an extra long-lasting scent, hold the spray about 12in away and step into the fragrance cloud.

L’Occitane’s new Labdanum and Mimosa fragrances, both £52 (loccitane.co.uk) in the Voyage en Mediterranee range are refreshing and long-lasting.

Is it me, or are often perfume sales assistants getting pushier?

Large department stores, with perfectly groomed consultants, can feel intimidating. Remember that you’rethe one with the purse power, and you’re under no obligation to buy anything, regardless of how long an assistant spends with you, or how helpful and friendly they are.

If you feel someone is becoming too pushy, or feel pressure to buy, make your excuses and leave.

Taking a sample and promising to try it and come back later is always a polite way of escaping.

When buying perfume, ask for the prices of perfume compared to eau de toilette, as they vary in price and slightly in smell.

SAVVY SHOPPING

It's worth asking shop assistants if they know whether other stores are running any fragrance promotions and it’s also worth shopping around yourself. Offers — such as a make-up set for a reduced price with a fragrance purchase — can be exclusive to a particular store.

Ask if the fragrance will be on promotion before Christmas, or if the store intends to drop prices before Christmas. Make sure you ask for a gift receipt and check that the recipient can return your gift if the packaging is unopened.

FIFTIES
ESPA Hydrating Cleansing Milk, £21, espaonline.com
Ideal for sensitive skin, this theraputic blend, made from pure plant extracts, removes impurities without affecting the natural balance of oils in your skin, so it is cleansed,
refreshed and hydrated

SIXTY PLUS
Dr Alkaitis Organic Purifying Cleanser, £36,
alkaitis.co.uk
Made from organic olive, shea, jojoba, coconut and
100 per cent essential oils, this is ideal for more mature skin because it is so gentle, removing make-up, dead skin cells and all traces of dirt. Skin will feel soft and refreshed.

LAST MINUTE BARGAIN

Soap & Glory's hatbox

This has to be one of the best buys this Christmas. From tomorrow, the Soap & Glory Big Thrill Giant Hatbox is on sale from £50 to £20.

It includes 11 of Soap & Glory’s most popular products in a beautiful reusable barrel and drawstring bag. Products include a limited edition Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Gloss, The Daily Smooth Body Butter and Clean On Me Body Wash. Offer exclusive to Boots.

CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

One of the most memorable scents to be launched this year comes from hair guru Frederic Fekkai, whose new limited edition fragrance Sensuelle, has been a surprising success.

It’s light and feminine, with top notes of neroli and lemon leaf, middle notes of mandarin, bergamot and jasmine and base notes of musk and amber.

There is a matching shampoo and conditioner in the range and even a hairspray, so you can completely immerse yourself in the fragrance. There's something decadent about shampooing your hair with your favourite scent.

BEAUTY NEWS

DKNY’s new Be Delicious and Fresh Blossom holiday ornaments come wrapped in dinky boxes decorated with silver ribbon, so they are easy to hang from your Christmas tree. They’ll also make perfect stocking fillers.

What’s the best way to work out my perfume ‘personality’?

How a fragrance develops on one person will be different on someone else, as we all have our own natural body oils and scent.

If you’re unsure of your ‘perfume personality’, try Benefit Crescent Row, £29.50 (benefitcosmetics.co.uk). The perfumed trio is made up of three scents based on different personality profiles.

LeeLee is woody floral, Sofia is oriental floral and Gina a woody oriental. Fresh and wearable for daytime, they’ll last all day and well into the evening.